Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Was this really the end?

After losing an innocent child and being left scarred and bruised, Max was about to marry someone else a perfect ending for him, while she had been nothing more than a passerby in his eyes from the very beginning.

Brielle’s head was pounding with a headache that only seemed to fade when Aubree pushed her into the bathtub. In the warmth of the water, she felt like she was coming back to life, yet she made no other move and simply soaked in the hot embrace.

Aubree stepped out of the bathroom and ordered some comfort food for delivery, then sat waiting for Brielle. Her eyes glanced at Brielle’s phone on the counter, which had turned off automatically– probably hadn’t been charged in days. She picked up the phone and plugged it in. After everything was set, she settled on the couch, waiting for Brielle to emerge.

During that time, Andrew called. Aubree frowned upon seeing the flashing name and dismissed the call without a second thought.. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Andrew dialed again. He wasn’t as heartless as he seemed. After being rejected once, twice, by the third call, Aubree gave in.

“What do you want?”

“Brielle’s out of jail?”

Aubree let out a scoff, her lips curling with mockery, “Yeah, no thanks to you, Mr. Big Shot.”

Andrew seemed unaffected by her scorn; instead, he lounged back, one leg bent, clad only in a bathrobe revealing his tanned skin in a way that could set pulses racing–if anyone were there to see it. Drying his hair, he asked casually, “Are you upset?”

Aubree’s eyes brimmed with tears. It was always this way with him–slap you, then dangle a carrot in front of you. And she was already softening without even receiving that carrot yet.

That was the terrifying thing about love. It ate at you like ants on an elephant, leaving even Aubree disgusted by her own pitiful state.

“No, it’s just your usual way. I’m used to it.”

Andrew paused, sensing her tone, and sighed. “Aubree, how long are you planning to stay out this time? If you’re going to forgive me eventually, why make a scene at all? Just come back. It’s cold, and I’m freezing alone in bed.”

That was Andrew for you–able to shrug off all of her heartache, regret, and sorrow with ease. But if Tessa so much as furrowed her brow, he’d move heaven and earth to make her happy. That was the difference between love and indifference.

Aubree wanted to say ‘she’d never return, but instead, she looked down. “We’ll see.” Those words were probably the most hurtful thing she could muster.

13:20

Chapter 48Z

Andrew didn’t push further. “I’ll be waiting for you. I haven’t changed the locks.”

Aubree ended the call and slumped on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. She hadn’t slept well since Brielle’s incident. Now that Brielle was finally free, Aubree’s tension was released, and fatigue washed over her from all sides. Yawning, she dozed off at the edge of the sofa.

Brielle spent an hour in the bath, and the house was quiet when she emerged. Aubree was asleep on the couch, her body slouched awkwardly.

The air conditioning was off, so Brielle turned it on. She did not want Aubree to catch a cold and fetched a blanket to cover her.

The food arrived. Brielle picked it up, noticing Aubree was still asleep. She had no appetite but warmed the food in pots anyway, so it’d be ready when Aubree woke.

As dusk approached, the sunset cast romantic shadows across the room. Brielle stood by the floor–to– ceiling window for a while before slipping on a coat and glancing back at Aubree.

Seeing her still asleep, Brielle let out a relieved sigh and tiptoed to the door, thinking she’d just sneak a peek. If she saw it with her own eyes, she could give up, free from any lingering thoughts.

And if she were rejected quietly, at least it wouldn’t be too embarrassing–Aubree wouldn’t know or be there to judge her. With that thought, Brielle closed the door behind her.

At the sound of the door shutting, Aubree’s eyelashes fluttered, and she sighed, pulling a pillow into her embrace. She decided to pretend she knew nothing. Sometimes, you don’t hit the brakes until you crash into a wall.

Brielle called Tiffanie for the address of the Dorsey family gathering. Tiffanie was quick to respond, sending the address directly to Brielle’s phone, followed by a cautionary note. [A daring move, huh? Alivia’s planning is tight tonight, intentionally setting the Barnes family gathering next door. Everyone

knows what she’s up to; Maxie’s engagement to her is all but sealed. If you barge in now, it’s suicide. You won’t last a second against her.]

After a pause, another message came. [Just so you know, Brielle, if you go down in there, no one’s coming to pick up the pieces–not the Dorseys, the Rowlands, or the Barnes. A flick of their fingers could crush you.]

[I thought I was bold, but you’re outright mad. Ah well, madness be damned. If you don’t act, Maxie’s truly gone for good.]

Brielle gripped the steering wheel and floored the gas pedal.